Malnutrition is a life-threatening condition among older people living in nursing care homes. This qualitative analysis of interview data from five care staff aimed to understand their perceptions of ‘caring for’ residents’ nutritional needs. Tensions in the delivery of care and institutionalisation and disempowerment were identified. Despite carers’ good intentions, they often failed to recognise the importance of the psychosocial aspects of mealtimes. Staff shortages, routine-driven, medically based working practices and residents’ resistance to institutionalisation emerged as barriers to quality caregiving. The findings indicate that the relational aspects of care are constrained by social, structural and ideological contexts.